He pushed the Catholic priest into his home and grabbed his jumper saying: “I want your money and your car keys.”

He became more aggressive when Canon Madden refused, shouting “Where’s your wallet?” and “Get on the floor”, shaking his jumper.

The Canon handed over #80 and the car keys. Lambert yanked a phone cable out of the wall, stamped on the handset and left saying: “I’m sorry, but I’m desperate.”

He took the Vauxhall Meriva, and drove out of the garden, veered back in through a fence, smashed into a wall and embedded the vehicle between two privet hedges.

He was chased by two members of the public before a police officer was shouted over and Lambert was arrested. He told officers he went to the Presbytery to ask for help because “the red mist had descended” and “seeing the opportunity, he took it”.

He said he did not threaten any violence.

Canon Madden said afterwards he feared violence, and was shaken and upset by the frightening experience. He told the Gazette: “I was shocked by it. It has definitely made me more wary.”